Round 9 of the AFL season gets underway Thursday night with a blockbuster clash between Fremantle and Collingwood at Optus Stadium, before the Saints host the Blues on Friday night.
Keep up to date with all of the fixtures, games, team news, tips, odds, results, reaction, and video as they come to hand.
THURSDAY, MAY 8
Fremantle vs. Collingwood
Team news: Fremantle have made three changes to last week's side, with Patrick Voss, Neil Erasmus, and Cooper Simpson named to replace the injured Hayden Young, Josh Draper, and Quinton Narkle. For the Pies, Craig McRae has elected to manage star trio Scott Pendlebury, Jordan De Goey, and Brayden Maynard, while Brodie Mihocek is injured. Replacing them is Jeremy Howe, Ed Allan, Lachie Sullivan, and Oleg Markov.
ESPN tip: Magpies by 8 points
Pointsbet odds: Dockers $2.40, Magpies $1.57
Get your tips in now on the ESPNfootytips app!
FRIDAY, MAY 9
St Kilda vs. Carlton
Team news: In a boost to St Kilda's midfield, Mattaes Phillipou has been named for his first game of the season, with last week's unused sub Tobie Travaglia omitted. For the Blues, Jack Silvagni will return, along with Francis Evans and Jaxon Binns, in place of Sam Docherty, Lachie Fogarty, and Matthew Carroll.
ESPN tip: Blues by 16 points
Pointsbet odds: Saints $2.25, Blues $1.65
SATURDAY, MAY 10
Melbourne vs. Hawthorn
Team news: Melbourne has recalled Jacob van Rooyen, Clayton Oliver, and Matthew Jefferson for its clash with the Hawks, but Jack Viney (concussion) headlines the outs. Meanwhile, Hawthorn has elected to rest defender Tom Barrass, but Karl Amon returns after successfully completing concussion protocols.
ESPN tip: Hawks by 26 points
Pointsbet odds: Demons $3.75, Hawks $1.27
Essendon vs. Sydney
Team news: It's changes galore at the Bombers, with Lewis Hayes, Archer Day-Wicks (debut), Jye Caldwell, Dylan Shiel, and Saad El-Hawli replacing injured trio Jordan Ridley, Jade Gresham, and Harrison Jones, and omitted pair Jye Menzie and Elijah Tsatas. The Swans have made one change, with Ben Paton set to replace the suspended Lewis Melican.
ESPN tip: Swans by 4 points
Pointsbet odds: Bombers $2.35, Swans $1.60
Gold Coast vs. Western Bulldogs
Team news: After some monster performances in the VFL, Brayden Fiorini has been named for his first senior start of 2025. Ben Long, Sam Clohesy, and Malcolm Rosas also return, with Ethan Read (managed), Lachie Weller (hamstring), David Swallow (managed), and Connor Budarick (omitted) to miss. After returning just last week Adam Treloar (calf tightness) has immediately returned to the sidelines. Jedd Busslinger has also been omitted, with Harvey Gallagher and Caleb Poulter named in their place.
ESPN tip: Suns by 9 points
Pointsbet odds: Suns $1.90, Bulldogs $1.90
Port Adelaide vs. Adelaide
Team news: Ken Hinkley has swung the axe at Port Adelaide. In addition to Willie Rioli serving his one-week sanction, Will Lorenz, Jordon Sweet, Logan Evans, and Joe Berry have all been omitted, replaced in the starting side by Dante Visentini, Josh Sinn, Christian Moraes, Jed McEntee, and Ryan Burton. For the Crows, Mitch Hinge will return after serving his one-week ban last week, with veteran defender Brodie Smith coming out of the team.
ESPN tip: Crows by 21 points
Pointsbet odds: Power $2.35, Crows $1.60
Rodney Eade says the AFL lacks consistency for its punishments, pointing at the Willie Rioli threats saga and several other incidents from this season.
SUNDAY, MAY 11
Richmond vs. West Coast
Team news: The Tigers have omitted Maurice Rioli, and a pair of debutants -- Jasper Alger and Thomas Sims -- have been named. Adem Yze has also recalled Kane McAuliffe and Tyler Sonsie. For the Eagles, star defender Jeremy McGovern will miss with concussion and Bo Allan has been suspended.
ESPN tip: Tigers by 8 points
Pointsbet odds: Tigers $1.55, Eagles $2.45
Geelong vs. GWS
Team news: Geelong has lost Lawson Humphries and Rhys Stanley to injury, while there is still no sign of Tom Stewart, but Gryan Miers is set to return to Chris Scott's side. Darcy Jones (knee) will miss for the Giants, with Jake Riccardi, Harry Rowston, Cody Angove, and Ryan Angwin added to the extended squad.
ESPN tip: Cats by 21 points
Pointsbet odds: Cats $1.48, Giants $2.65
North Melbourne vs. Brisbane
Team news: Unfortunately for the Kangas, Jackson Archer has been ruled out for up to eight weeks due to a hamstring injury. Kallan Dawson and Will Phillips (omitted) will also miss this week's match, with Toby Pink, Aidan Corr, George Wardlaw, Zac Fisher, Griffin Logue, and Geordie Payne added to Sunday's squad. It's better news for the Lions who are set to regain forwards Logan Morris and Kai Lohmann.
ESPN tip: Lions by 35 points
Pointsbet odds: Kangaroos $6.00, Lions $1.13